PROSPECT — Council members begrudgingly approved an increase in the sewage rate for residents in 2025 at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 2.

The sewage rate will be $97.50 for the year, which amounts to a $10 increase from last year. Just two years ago, the rate sat at $82.50.

“I know it’s high,” Council President Brian Taylor explained to the rest of the council during the discussion. “I’m not happy about it, but we don’t have a choice.”

The borough operated on a $30,000 shortfall when it came to sewage operations throughout 2024. Taylor mentioned to the council that the $5 rate increase going into this year was not enough to cover expenses.

“Right now we have a $30,000 shortfall this year on the budget because we didn’t raise the price enough last year,” he said. “Can’t have a $30,000 shortfall every year.”

Councilmen Eric Hilliard and Nick Vaccarello were quick to provide pushback on the increase and voted against it.

Previous borough officials signed a long-term contract with the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Moraine State Park for sewage services. That contract annually sets the prices based on the Consumer Price Index, and inflation over the past few years has taken its toll.

“That’s the way it is,” Taylor said. “With the inflation the way it is, we don’t have a choice.”

Sewage has been a decadeslong issue within the borough. It may continue to be since officials are unable to negotiate a new contract in the foreseeable future due to the contract they are locked into with the DCNR.